OFFICIAL WELCOME.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1057, 21 February 1911, Page 6

OFFICIAL WELCOME.

. TO WELLINGTON BANDS. THE MAYOR'S SPEECH Tho Wellington Garrison and tho Wellington Tramways Bands were officially welcomed homo Inst evening in tho Town Hall, nnd - congratulated on their respective successes at tho Palmerston contest. Tho attendance was not as largo ns it would hnvo been had rain not fallen a few minutes beforo eight o'clock. The Mayor't Welcome. Tho Mayor (Mr, T. Wilford), who spoko prior to the musical performance, said it had becomo his pleasure, on behalf of the city, to give a hearty wolcomo to tho two champion bands of New Zealand. (Applause.) Ho proceeded to read the careers of the two bands.. Between 1891 and tho present date tho Garrison, Band had secured no fewer than twelvo first prizes. Uoosey's Challenge Cup had been won outright, nnd was now in tho Mayor's room. (Applause.) Tho band had also won tho North Island Band Association's shield, and wero tho firosent holders of tho association's chalengo shield. They had won four second and one third prize in contest telcctions between 1002 nnd 1907. Between tho years IRitO and 11)02, the wins wero ten prizes—four firsts, one! second, four thirds, and ono fifth, and some hundreds of medals. All these distinctions had boon gained under Lieutenant Herd. (Applause.) Thero was no doubt that Now Zealandors wero a music-loving public, and thero was no doubt also that in Lieutenant .Herd, they had one of the greatest organisers nnd musical conductors that probably Australasia had ever seen. (Applause.) Mr. Short, the judge at Talmerstou North, had said he expected to see the band tho winners at tho next Australian contest. Tho band had beaten Wnnganui. • who wero tho winners at Ballnrnt, nnd, therefore Wellington could claim to' hnvo tho champion band of Australasia. ■(Applause.) ' He spoke of the necessity of co-operation in band work, and said tho present result showed the. good spirit existing among the' men. (Applause.) 'Referring to tho Tramways Band, ho said it had brought back a trophy which had been won absolutely by merit, industry, and application. (Applause.) Tho band was only four years old. It had first been under the charge of Lieut. Herd, and from' him • bad como to tho present conductor, Mr. Clarebut. They had. entered for the test selection Inst year, nnd had won fourth placo and J!10. They had practised up. and now' had apSropriatcd Boosoy's shield in the B rndc, and a cash priio of .£SO. '{Applause.) Tho judge, Mr. Short, had greatly praised them and their playing. They would now have to compete in tho first class, and it was expected they would give a good account of themselves. Ho reforred.to tho necessity of .funds for tho bauds. 'When tho present' conductor, Mr. Clarebut took, charge.the .Tramways Band wero .£IOO in debt. This now was practically wiped out. (Applause.) As Mayor, ho was proud of tho two bands. '(Applause.)- Referring to the' object to which tho evening proceeds wero going to, ho said both conductors had ngrocd most cordinlly to tho proposal. Ho was sure, in return, that tho promises ho had received from all tho snorts bodies, that when tho Garrison Band wanted to competo in Australia next October, they would do their best to assist them.' would be carried outi'and with the nid of the City Council, and of tho public generally, "tho band would bo nblo to moko'tho'journey. He called (or'three cheers for each band, which .wero heartily given. • > 'Tho Conductors' Replies 1 . Lieutenant Herd, who had a: cordial reception, said it had afforded him great pleasure to find their efforts so generously regarded. It'nlso gave them 'genu-ine.-delight to assist the athletes to go abroad. (Applause.) Ho,would liko to upset any ideas that might be held that going to contests was holiday-making. Work started at fi.3o a.m., and continued until late at night. Tho behaviour of the men at Palmerston North'hnd'bocu very good indeed. (Loud applause!) Conductor Clarebut, who was also cordially received, said that this was his first speech in public,' nnd he consequently read a few words of thanks on behalf of his band. (Loud applause.) Ho also -added, in regard to the admission charges going to tho athletes that evening, that ho had voiced his immediate approval on being consulted, by tho Mayor. (Applause.) ...-.- i , The Music. ', A very pleasant programme of band music was then contributed by tho two bands, nnd by tho best soloists. Tho Garrison Band was minus its leading trombone player, who was absent in tho north. The contributions by this band were: "Mnritann" (Wallace): "Air Vnrie on Welsh Melody" (nrranired by W. Rimmer): and "Hearts and Flowers" (Tobani). • Tho Tramways Band nlayed "Bocraccio" (Von Siippo), nnd "Lily of Killarney" (Sir Jules Benedict). Bandsman T. Goodall, of the Tramways Band, rendered very dolinhtfully the cornet silo ."Polonaise" (Williams); Bandsman W. D. Crump, of tho same band, payed "Bid me Discourse" as a tenor-horn solo: and Bandsman W. Lever, also of tho Tramways Band, played tho trombone solo ".Teanctte and .Teanotto" (J. Ord Hume). The accompanist was Mr. A. J. AVieks. At the conclusion tho ■ combined ' bands jlayed the National Anthem.